Hurricane Lee remains bracketed for possible East Coast impact as a major hurricane

Hurricane Lee It is still a major, major hurricane as it moves into the southwest Atlantic. According to Fox Weather, dangerous surf and rip currents have begun along much of the East Coast, which will worsen throughout the week.

Citing a report from the National Hurricane Center, Fox Weather noted that sustained winds were around 120 mph, making the storm a Category 3. Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

FOX Weather notes that while the storm will be far enough away from the Caribbean islands to have any direct impact, dangerous surf and deadly rip currents are already sweeping the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico. These conditions will continue to spread over Hispaniola, Turks and Caicos, Bahamas and Bermuda in the coming days.

Related: Hurricane Lee strengthened to major hurricane with dangerous surf on the eastern US coast on Sunday

According to the US Coast Guard, sea conditions have deteriorated along Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, with 10-15 foot surf and life-threatening rip currents. The agency explains that there are special dangers for those involved in boating, fishing, beach visits or water sports this weekend.

Will Lee have any impact on the US East Coast?

Hurricane Lee is expected to slow in the southwest Atlantic in the coming days as steering currents weaken, dangerous surf and rip currents begin along much of the US eastern seaboard and continue for the next several days.

Fox Weather is a hurricane expert Brian Norcross Said that Lee may not be a direct threat Florida, Georgiaor South CarolinaBut the storm will produce high surf with strong waves that could cause damage along the coast.

Hurricane Lee Forecast Cone (Fox Weather)

Computer models predict that Lee will remain along the eastern seaboard, with some indicating that the mid-Atlantic and Northeast Coasts may still feel the effects of the storm and are advised to monitor future forecasts, Fox Weather reported.

Hurricane Lee went from Category 1 to Category 5 in 24 hours

Lee did rapid intensification With extreme speed on Thursday, it went from a Category 1 hurricane at 80 mph Wednesday night to a Category 5 monster at 165 mph just 24 hours later. Lee was the 13th Category 5 storm on record to form east of the Caribbean, according to Fox Weather.

Fox Weather reported that the storm had moved in wind shear On Friday, the storm weakened slightly to a Category 3. Lee was downgraded to a Category 2 storm on Saturday but re-strengthened to a major hurricane on Sunday afternoon. Lee is expected to continue to strengthen as it slowly rotates into the southwest Atlantic.

Where is Hurricane Lee (Fox Weather)

Where is Hurricane Lee?

According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Lee is about 340 miles north of the northern Leeward Islands.

The hurricane is moving northwest and has begun to slow over the southwest Atlantic where it is expected to continue to strengthen.

Hurricane Lee Winds (Fox Weather)

What is the forecast track for Hurricane Lee?

Hurricane Lee is expected to move west-northwestward over the open waters of the southwest Atlantic in the coming days, far east of the Bahamas by early next week.

On its current track, Lee is expected to pass well north of the northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in the next few days.

There are currently no watches or warnings in effect for any landmass.

Although Lee weakened in intensity Friday and early Saturday, forecasters say the hurricane could regain Category 4 status by the early part of the workweek, if atmospheric conditions are favorable.

Hurricane Lee Spaghetti Forecast (Fox Weather)

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